The end for Agathe

Didier Agathe has revealed that chronic knee problems ended his career at the age of 30.

Martin O’Neill spend £50,000 taking the winger from Hibs in 2000 and got full value as Agathe helped Celtic to domestic glory and the 2003 UEFA Cup Final in Seville.

When O’Neill left Celtic the career of the player from the French Reunion Isle fell apart. Agathe made just four appearances under Gordon Strachan before briefly being reunited with O’Neill at Aston Villa where he made six substitute appearances.

Agathe was just 30 years of age when O’Neill left Celtic but at almost the same time his career came to a grinding halt.

In a far reaching interview with the So Foot.com website the former Celt explained where it all went wrong after leaving Celtic.

“When I was at Aston Villa, it was the end of my career,” he admitted. “My knees ached so much that I could not get up to go to workouts.

“Obviously, knowing Italy or Spain would have been wonderful, but when I played Champions League matches with Celtic, I was able to trade my jerseys with those of Del Piero, Kaka.

“I say a thousand thank you to life for giving me such moments during my career. To live that was the best.”

Once his playing career was over Agathe returned to the Reunion Isles where he has set up a soccer school keeping Celtic posted about the best young talent in the area.